The state budget 2018 of Kerala would be setting aside close to INR 381 crore towards development and promotion of the tourism sector of the state. The budgetary provisioning is INR 36 crore more than the INR 345 crore that was set aside last year. Presenting the Budget in the Kerala Assembly, Dr Thomas Isaac, Minister for Finance, said the state government will focus more on conservation and preservation of heritage monuments in the coming financial year. An amount to the tune of INR 40 crore has been set aside in this regard.

As per Dr Isaac's proposals for the fiscal, the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC ) would get INR 7.92 crore, while the Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Ltd. will get INR 1.83 crore. The Finance Minister set aside INR 82.50 crore towards marketing of the tourism sector in 2018. The government also proposes to bring boat races under the league competitions, and will be supported with an amount of around INR 10 crore. The budget also earmarks an amount of INR 3.30 crore for the Bekal Resort Development Corporation Ltd. and also allotted INR 16 crore towards organising cultural events such as the Kochi Muziris Biennale, Nishagandhi Dance and Music festivals, Onam celebrations, Thrissur Pooram, to name a few.

Further, an amount of INR 4.95 crore has been earmarked towards Responsible Tourism initiatives, while development of eco-tourism products would get INR 4.24 crore. Human Resources Development in Tourism through the prestigious Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) has been assured INR 4.40 crore, while similar projects under the State Institute of Hospitality Management (SIHM) gets INR 3.30 crore, and Food Crafts Institute gets INR 3.85 crore. The budget also proposes to earmark an amount of INR 13.20 crore for DTPCs and DMCs, while modernisation and strengthening of tourism institutions would get INR 2.20 crore.